Germany to introduce new product standard for plug-in solar devices
The standard is intended to regulate basic safety requirements and testing. However, an international standard is currently being developed that reaches partially contradictory results. The German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, however, is taking a relaxed view of this.
Tonalli solar panel factory inaugurated in Mexico with capacity to produce 200,000 units a year
The new plant, located in Puebla, aims to supply solar energy to schools, rural communities and the agricultural sector, with an investment of more than MXN 325 million and the generation of more than a thousand jobs.
Transmission delays threaten growth of PV projects in Colombia
Although Colombia added 13 new solar farms in the first quarter of 2025, national grid operator XM Compañía de Expertos warns that transmission infrastructure delays threaten the deployment of projected solar capacity.
British and Irish BESS investors make big moves in Japan
Gore Street Capital’s Japanese fund buys its first battery energy storage system (BESS) project, while Ireland’s GridBeyond begins energy trading in Japan with front-of-the-meter asset.
Argentina reaches nearly 2 GW of installed PV capacity
According to the latest monthly report for May, issued by CAMMESA, solar power reached 1,933 MW, representing 4.4% of the total. A total of 46 MW was commissioned in the month in question.
Solar records in UK and Germany as cold snap hits Eastern Europe
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that record irradiance in western Europe boosted solar output in May, while low pressure and Arctic air suppressed irradiance and temperatures in the east.
Wafer producers scramble to stay afloat despite hydropower advantage
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, reports that FOB China wafer prices remained stable this week amid weak demand and low production. It says manufacturers continue to face margin pressure despite seasonal hydropower cost relief and traceability documentation premiums.
French company offers router capable of redirecting surplus solar to water heating
French energy cooperative Solarcoop has launched a solar router that redirects surplus photovoltaic power from self-consumption systems to electric water heaters or other resistive loads, and can also control additional devices such as heat pumps.
New device could pave way for magnetic controllable photovoltaic devices
Scientists in Japan have developed a device that enables external magnetic field control of magnetic injection current in the bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE), a phenomenon not yet used in commercial solar cells. The research suggests a potential path toward regulating photocurrent in next-generation photovoltaic applications.
Photovoltaics vs. photovoltaic-thermal
Researchers in India say that photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems offer greater performance stability than conventional PV systems in hot climates. Using irradiance and temperature data, the team applied a Random Forest model that predicted efficiency classes with 97% accuracy.
